Giant falling to bits in a year

[Leodis]

So many variables in it. I had a Canondale badboy, it needed a new BB, chain and cassette after 1500 miles mainly because it was my first bike in 20 years and I ragged and grind it to death. I now have a 2nd hand Boardman comp from 2010, probs done about 2500-3000 since new and nothing replaced yet even the Conti sports are on it (though cracking). As mentioned, its about cleaning and lubing the mech, I don't clean it fully often but I either wipe the chain and relube or use a chain cleaner every so often and relube.

 

[Beebo]

The saddle shouldnt really fail but the stock pedals will be made of cheese, best to replace after a year anyway, and the drive chain is a consumable item, so will need changing at some point too.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I was shocked! Just got back from popping round to lend/fit a saddle to my mate's Giant, his having broken today, and I said I thought the bike was pretty new. He said yes, a year plus a few weeks.

I said I thought that was pretty shoddy, and if it was me I'd be grumbling pretty vocally to the LBS man. Which is when he told me that just in the last fortnight or so, just past the year, he's had to replace the pedals, which basically fell apart, and when he was in there the guy checked his transmission and told him he needed a new chain and cassette. And I checked, and he's right.

So, in addition to the spoke that broke within a few months of purchase, this bike has needed a new chain, cassette, saddle and pedals. And while my mate is no lightweight, neither is he a particular porker, nor does he ride his bike hard, or for that long (basically leisure and the occasional no-great-distance commute).

I think that's shocking. Isn't it?

Polar opposite: my year and a half old TCX1 has covered around 2600 miles (not massive I know but enough) and it has been ridden on fire trails, green lanes and all manner of crappy surfaces and it not only looks mint but absolutely nothing has failed and nothing even looks remotely like it is near its sell by date.

I keep it clean and everything is adjusted/lubricated regularly and it hums along quite nicely.

***

Based on my experience Giant build a great looking, tough and reliable bike.

***

Just to lend some balance to your slightly over-emotive (imo) post.

 

[lesley_x]

My beloved Giant TCX1 has just gone back to the LBS, headset is squealing and suspected to be gubbed. Very disappointed after 8 months light use and it wasn't exactly small change. My Spesh Secteur has needed no new bits and bobs after 4 years, it seems to be bombproof. Also disappointing when you call said LBS to get an update on your bike and they tell you they've lost it, and 10 mins later track it down to their warehouse?! They sent it there by accident?!

 

[Globalti]

Have you ever washed your TCX1 upside-down?

 

[lesley_x]

Have you ever washed your TCX1 upside-down?

No never

 

[Globalti]

OK you avoided my trap! I was going to say that water will get into the head bearings and rust them!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

My beloved Giant TCX1 has just gone back to the LBS, headset is squealing and suspected to be gubbed. Very disappointed after 8 months light use and it wasn't exactly small change. My Spesh Secteur has needed no new bits and bobs after 4 years, it seems to be bombproof. Also disappointing when you call said LBS to get an update on your bike and they tell you they've lost it, and 10 mins later track it down to their warehouse?! They sent it there by accident?!

That is odd. Was it you who posted a picture of their bike some while back? Blue/black - looked lovely.

I know of two other TCX's (a TCX1 and a TCX2) and apart from wheels and saddles on both and different brakes on the TCX2 they are bog standard. They both look a bit tatty but have been raced (Cycloscross) for a couple of seasons and their owners have had no trouble whatsoever.

 

[Globalti]

Headsets don't usually fail in such a short time unless abused, for example by washing the bike upside-down. It's odd.

 

[lesley_x]

I know it's really strange. I've not even used it that much due to health issues, only couple of hundred miles.

I don't even have access to a hose or pressure washer that could force water in anywhere. Just water and a sponge probably three times or so.

The only think I can think is it being transported on the roof racks of the car? But the specialized has been subjected to way more abuse and it's absolutely fine.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

My Specialized Sirrus Elite Disc did around 3500 in the first year, but commuting in all weathers, at least 8 journeys a week and could probably have had more TLC. In that time it's done a couple of spokes on the rear wheel, I had a specialized Romin saddle fail on me (the 'steel' railed one, the rail rusted out from the inside and snapped, although it took 14 months to happen as it had been moved from the previous bike) the rear mech went out of true (probably ham fisted user damage) snapped a chain, went through both tyres and wore out the cassette. Although compared to the cost of commuting a car over the equivalent time it didn't seem that bad.

It now has a 105 rear mech and chain rings (figured might just as well upgrade as I replace) and is about to get the Maddox's from the Synapse as the hubs on the stock wheels are 'beyond repair'. I'm going to have to do the front mech at some point, if only because the hi/low screws are rusted up and one (low?) is reluctant to budge. That'll be 105 as well though. I considered doing the shifters, but the Sora's are OK and there isn't much further up the range for flat bars. Bottom bracket is probably due soon.

Frame is still solid as anything. I could whine on about the build quality, but they are all lightweight parts (in my car head anyway) and they get a lot of abuse (especially as I'm not small and was considerably bigger near the beginning of its life), there's part of me that would prefer to replace chainset once a year over spending an hour a week cleaning it all with a toothbrush. Largely the part that is knackered after 90 minutes commuting home. The Synapse is getting more TLC and is unlikely to see the rain intentionally and definitely not the salt/grit.

Having said all of that, it runs smooth and compared to some of the BSO's I see on my commute is a complete gem. There's a big difference between my 'worn out' and some peoples. Example the bike I stopped to help on the way home last night who had a rusty big box store hardtail that looked like it had been dragged from a skip, rust on every conceivable surface and what I'd thought was a puncture was actually him riding out of work with an already flat tyre and having the inner roll out of the side, catch around the cassette and tighten until it snapped in two. I cable tied his tyre to the wheel and suggested he push it home, I was tempted to suggest he throw it back in the first skip and select a replacement from the closest one at the other end. For some reason he was baffled as to why the mechanical had happened...

 

[lesley_x]

That is odd. Was it you who posted a picture of their bike some while back? Blue/black - looked lovely.

I know of two other TCX's (a TCX1 and a TCX2) and apart from wheels and saddles on both and different brakes on the TCX2 they are bog standard. They both look a bit tatty but have been raced (Cycloscross) for a couple of seasons and their owners have had no trouble whatsoever.

Yep this is my baby


I think you have the TCX 1 that was white when it should have been like mine cause of a frame issue or something??

Great bikes, I really love mine, but I am really disappointed with what's happened particularly as it really doesn't see a lot of use and abuse. LBS are calling tomorrow to let me know the outcome. I am hoping for a warranty claim, not just a patch up. Not really something you want to mess about with.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Yep this is my baby


I think you have the TCX 1 that was white when it should have been like mine cause of a frame issue or something??

Great bikes, I really love mine, but I am really disappointed with what's happened particularly as it really doesn't see a lot of use and abuse. LBS are calling tomorrow to let me know the outcome. I am hoping for a warranty claim, not just a patch up. Not really something you want to mess about with.

Yes that was it. It was black & blue like yours but when it arrived a rear brake boss was out of skew. The 2013 black & blue frame was not available as a replacement quick enough so I accepted the black/white/red 2012 frame and all the 2013 kit was transferred to it. So I probably have a unique Giant TCX1!

This one:

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Sorry, forgot to say - good luck with getting yours sorted.

 

[lesley_x]

Cheers. Tbh I much prefer the frame you have and the colour scheme. Trouble is there aren't many bikes out there that cater for 5"5' lady like me so I couldn't be that picky about looks if I wanted to get a decent fit. I have grown to love my bikes colour though! It's just not what I would have picked in an ideal world!

I also find my brakes very squealy, might change the pads out like you said you did in the other thread so thanks for that!

Can I ask, what computer are you using on the front fork? I would like to get one I know is going to work properly with the forks on the tcx.